The pandemic is, of course, not over.
But as the response continues, discussion has begun in Congress over the next threat to public health, whatever that may be.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, is chair of the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. She and ranking member Sen. Richard Burr, R-North Carolina, have released a draft of what they call the PREVENT Pandemics Act.
The measure looks at ways to strengthen medical supply chains, bolster the public health workforce and fight misinformation. It would also require the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be confirmed by the Senate.
The goal, Murray says, is to apply the lessons from this pandemic to future threats to public health.
Right now, the legislation is in draft form — it hasn't been filed yet. Murray spoke about the proposal with KNKX All Things Considered host Ed Ronco. Listen to their conversation above.
